The Ultimate Selecting the Right Carpet Pad Quiz

Did you know that selecting the right carpet pad is as important as selecting the right carpet? It can make a big difference to both the appearance and performance of your carpet. So before you go out to do battle with your local carpet salesman, arm yourself with the right carpet pad knowledge by taking our quiz.

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Question 1 of 20

What is the main purpose of a carpet pad?

to protect your carpet

A carpet pad reduces the amount of wear and tear on your carpet from footsteps and furniture and prevents it from rubbing against the floor underneath.

to protect your floor

to protect your feet

Question 2 of 20

A carpet pad makes your _____ more efficient during carpet cleaning.

mop

broom

vacuum cleaner

Padding allows you to lift your carpet slightly during vacuuming, making it easier to remove dirt.

Question 3 of 20

A carpet pad helps to keep your room:

colder

warmer

Carpet padding blocks the drafts that can seep through your carpet and also prevents heat loss in the other direction.

moister

Question 4 of 20

Is it a good idea to use an existing pad with your new carpet?

yes

no

If you're replacing an existing carpet, make sure you replace the pad as well. An older pad will not give you the same thermal and acoustical benefits as a new one.

maybe

Question 5 of 20

Which factor is the most important when choosing a carpet pad?

your needs

Thick padding works well if you need extra comfort for standing or playing, but doesn't work so well if you have a wheelchair bound family member. Keep your family's particular needs in mind when deciding which pad to buy.

price

thickness

Question 6 of 20

What's the best way to keep moisture away from your carpet's underpad?

Buy a carpet with its own moisture barrier.

Buy a pad with its own moisture barrier.

both of the above

Most carpet experts agree that a separate moisture barrier is not necessary between your carpet and its underpad. Many carpets and pads have their own built-in moisture barriers.

Question 7 of 20

Waffle rubber is:

spongy rubber material used in carpet pads

Waffle rubber is a spongy rubber material that was once very popular for use as carpet padding. Its waffle-like texture allows the carpet to "float" a bit on air, giving it a very soft feel.

dense rubber material used in carpet pads

hard rubber material used in carpet pads

Question 8 of 20

What's the biggest advantage of carpet padding made from waffle rubber?

It comes in many colors.

It's cheap.

Despite its shortcomings, waffle rubber provides adequate padding if it has the proper density. It's generally inexpensive and gives a cushiony feel that many people like.

It looks nice.

Question 9 of 20

_____ is defined as the relationship between the weight and thickness of your carpet pad.

Sparsity

Density

Density is the most important trait to consider when evaluating the quality of a carpet pad. If a pad can be completely compressed, your carpet absorbs too much wear.

Urethane foam, better known as foam rubber, is made by blowing gas into a heated, liquid chemical mixture. It is porous and spongy, has superior insulative properties and is used as cushioning for furniture and mattresses.

butane foam

methadone foam

Question 12 of 20

Since prime foam padding doesn't always provide enough support to limit carpet movement and protect your carpet from wear, it is not recommended for _____ traffic areas.

light

moderate

heavy

Though HUD recommends a standard of 0.375 inch (9.525 millimeters) thick and 2.2 pounds per cubic foot (35.2 kilograms per cubic meter) for prime foam when used in light or moderate traffic areas, it does not recommend it at all for heavy traffic areas.

Question 13 of 20

What is the advantage of frothed urethane foam over prime urethane foam?

It is thinner and softer.

It is denser and firmer.

Because its chemical mixture is frothed while still liquid, frothed foam produces a denser, firmer result ideal for use in carpet padding.

It is thinner and firmer.

Question 14 of 20

Bonded urethane foam is made out of foam scraps. What makes it the greenest carpet padding choice?

It is made from recycled materials.

If you want to go green choose bonded urethane foam, also known as rebond, for your carpet padding. Made from foam scraps left over from the manufacture of furniture, mattresses, etc. it is the most common type of carpet pad material.

It has no chemical compounds.

It is made in Maine.

Question 15 of 20

Because bonded urethane foam uses waste material from other manufacturing processes, it is usually:

expensive

inexpensive

Though prices will fluctuate with scrap foam's market value, using material that would otherwise go to waste keeps the price of rebond down.

free

Question 16 of 20

Why should you avoid padding that's too thick?

It allows too much movement of the carpet.

A thick padding allows too much up-and-down movement of the carpet and can cause the carpet to pull away from the tack strips that hold it against the wall. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, no pad should be more than seven-sixteenths of an inch thick.

It's too expensive.

It wears out quickly.

Question 17 of 20

_____ heating is a type of heating that can be installed under your floor.

Incandescent

Radiant

If you use radiant heat to heat your home, keep this tip in mind when choosing carpet padding. Choose a pad with a low R-value since too much insulation will block the heat coming up from below; a flat rubber 0.25-inch (6.35-millimeter) pad has an R- value of only 0.31.

Resplendent

Question 18 of 20

Which type of rubber pad is considered the best carpet pad on the market?

flat rubber

Flat rubber pads are solid and heavy as well as long-lasting and give a carpet good support. It's an excellent pad for high traffic areas such as hallways and stairs and resists furniture indentation.

bumpy rubber

double-layered rubber

Question 19 of 20

Fiber mats are usually used under _____ to prevent their movement.

tables

chairs

area rugs

Fiber cushions, made from synthetic fibers like nylon, are the oldest type of carpet pad and were originally made from animal hair. Fiber mats aren't generally used for residential carpet installation, but can be laid under area rugs to prevent their movement.